The Evolution of Public Key Cryptography

Explore the fascinating journey of public key cryptography in this Stanford University seminar. Delve into the revolutionary concepts behind this cryptographic method as Professor Martin Hellman, Stanford EE (Emeritus), shares insights on its development. Discover the contributions of unsung heroes like Ralph Merkle, John Gill, Stephen Pohlig, Richard Schroeppel, Loren Kohnfelder, and researchers at GCHQ. Gain a deeper understanding of why the discovery of public key cryptography by Whit Diffie, Ralph Merkle, and Hellman was both groundbreaking and, in retrospect, seemingly inevitable. This 1 hour and 15 minutes long talk, part of the EE380: Computer Systems Colloquium Seminar series, offers a comprehensive look at the evolution of this crucial aspect of modern cryptography.